Government to Introduce Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill 2026 to Replace 125-Year-Old Banking Law
The government is planning to replace an old colonial-era law that deals with the use of bank records as evidence in courts. The new law aims to ensure that courts can access necessary banking records while also protecting banks from unnecessary legal proceedings.
Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will introduce the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026 in Parliament on Monday. The new Bill will replace the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891, which has governed the production and use of banking records in courts for more than 125 years.
What is the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill?
The Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill relates to the legal rules governing how bank records can be used as evidence in courts and legal proceedings.
India already has the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891. Traditionally, it allowed certified copies of entries in bankers’ books to be produced as evidence, so banks did not have to bring their original books and records to court every time.
Why is it important?
Banks maintain large amounts of information, such as account statements, transaction records, ledgers and other customer records. The law allows properly certified copies of these records to be accepted as evidence, subject to prescribed conditions.
This helps protect original banking records, reduces the need to physically produce original records in court, establishes how bank records should be certified, and covers records maintained electronically.
Simple Example
Suppose a court requires the transaction history of a customer’s bank account in a fraud case.
Instead of requiring the bank to produce its original records, an appropriately certified copy of the relevant bank records can be submitted as evidence in accordance with the law.
New Law to Focus on Better Judicial Oversight
The proposed new law seeks to provide better-targeted judicial oversight instead of allowing unrestricted access to banking records. This is expected to balance the need for banking evidence in legal cases with the need to protect banks from unnecessary proceedings.
Click here to download 1891 Act PDF. 2026 PDF copy will be provided soon.
